Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
TWO WEEKS LATER
Brielle
I thought that after Caden apologized, I would hear from him again. But I hadn’t. I picked up my phone dozens of times and stared at his name in my contacts, trying to work up the nerve to message him. But I couldn’t. He would have reached out if he wanted to talk or see me again. Maybe his apology was only for him to make himself feel better.
My phone rang as I was cooking for Stella and me, and Caden’s name appeared. Instantly, my belly started to twist, and my heart started racing.
“Hello.”
“Brielle, it’s Caden. Are you home by any chance?”
“Yes. I’m home. Why?”
“Is Stella with you?”
“Yeah. She’s here too.”
“I was wondering if I could drop by for a bit. I owe her a song on the piano. I mean, if you’re not busy or anything.”
“No. I’m just cooking dinner. Stella would love it if you came over and played for her. She’s been asking about you.”
“I don’t want to interrupt your dinner.”
“You’re more than welcome to join us. I’m making chicken parmesan.”
“I really don’t want to intrude. I can come another time.”
“You wouldn’t be intruding, Caden.”
“Mommy, is that Caden on the phone?” Stella asked with excitement. “Is he going to come over to play the piano with me?”
“Yes, Stella. He is.”
“Yay!” She jumped up and down.
“See, Mr. Chamberlain, now you don’t have a choice. You wouldn’t want to disappoint a six-year-old tiny human, would you?”
“No. I wouldn’t.” He chuckled. “I’ll be there shortly.”
I ended the call with a smile and set my phone down. Walking to the cabinet, I took down an extra plate and set it on the table.
Caden
Was using her child as an excuse to see her wrong? Probably. But it all came down to baby steps. I’d made a lot of progress with Dr. Carlyle over the past two weeks—more progress than I ever thought would be possible. The car pulled up to her building, and I climbed out and took the elevator up to her apartment. After knocking on the door, Stella opened it and startled me when she grabbed my hand.
“Welcome back to our home.” She grinned.
I stepped inside, and Stella led me to the kitchen.
“Hi.” Brielle smiled.
“Hi.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
“Dinner will be ready in a minute. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I am. It smells delicious.”
“Come on, Caden. Let’s go play the piano.”
“Stella, it’s time to eat. You two can play after dinner.”
“Aw, Mom!” she whined.
“Your mom is right, you know. We can’t play good music on empty stomachs.” I smiled down at her.
“We can’t?”
“No. We can’t.”
“Okay.” She grinned.
“Is there anything I can do to help you?” I asked Brielle.
“You can pour us a glass of wine if you don’t mind.” She smiled at me.
“Of course. I can do that.”
She handed me two glasses, and I poured the wine into each. Walking over to the table, I set one down in front of Stella.
“I can’t drink wine.” She giggled. “I’m not old enough.”
“Really? I thought you were at least twenty-two.” I winked. “My apologies, Madame.”
She continued to giggle as Brielle set the food on the table. We took our seats and began eating.
“I’m going to a new school in the fall,” Stella said.
“You are? What’s wrong with your old school?” I asked.
“I’m too smart for it. I’m going to the Speyer School for the gifted children.”
I looked at Brielle with an arch in my brow.
“Well, you will certainly get a good education there.”
“I know, and I can’t wait.” She giggled.
“I can see you get your intelligence from your mother.”
“I do. She said that my dad was extremely unintelligent with the brain of a snail.”
I chuckled as I looked at Brielle.
“Stella, you’re not supposed to tell people I said that.”
“Sorry, Mommy.”
We made small talk while we ate, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how right it all felt.
“That was really good, Brielle. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled.
“Mommy, can we go play the piano now? Please?” Stella begged.
“I’ll help your mom clean up first, then play something for you. But why don’t you go play? I’ll listen as I help clean up,” I said as I got up from my seat.
“You don’t have to help me, Caden. I got this.”
“You cooked, so I can help clean up.”
As we cleared the table and took the dishes to the sink, Stella went to the piano and began playing “Fur Elise” perfectly—so perfectly that it sent chills down my spine.
“How long has she been playing the piano?” I asked Brielle.
“About two months.”
“Who’s her teacher?”
“Nobody. She teaches herself.”
“And she’s never had a lesson in her life?”
“No. She didn’t want lessons. She insisted on teaching herself. She’s really good, isn’t she?” She grinned.
“Yes. She is. Have you ever had her IQ tested?”
“Her previous school tested her.”
“And?” I asked with an arch in my brow.
“150.”
“What?” My jaw dropped. “She’s practically a genius.”
“I know. All I want is for her to have a normal life.”
“Sorry to tell you this, sweetheart, but life for her will never be normal.”
When she finished playing “Fur Elise,” she moved on to a new classical piece, one I didn’t recognize. I helped Brielle clean up the dishes, walked to the piano, and sat beside Stella.
“What piece is this?” I asked her.
“A piece I wrote myself.”
“Excuse me? You wrote this?”
“Yes. Do you like it?”
“Where’s the music sheet?”
“In my head.” She smiled.
She finished the song and moved over.
“Your turn.”
I stretched out my fingers and began to play a piece by Bach. Stella sat there and watched my fingers while bobbing her head up and down. Before I knew it, she placed her fingers on the keys next to mine and started to play with me. I glanced over at her and smiled.
“That was fun. Mommy, did you hear us?”
“Of course I did, sunshine. You both were incredible. Now I think it’s time for bed.”
“Do I have to?” she whined.
“Yes. You’ve had a long day.”
“Okay.” She pouted. “Is it okay if I say good night to you after I get in my pajamas, Caden?” she asked.
“Of course.”
I got up from the piano and walked to Brielle’s couch.
“She’s an incredible kid.”
“Thanks. You don’t like the tiny humans. Remember?” She smirked.
“True. But I might like your tiny human.” I smiled.